Lending Library

The Lending Library

The SIMS lending library has an extensive selection of books, CDs, and tapes and is housed at the Seattle Insight Meditation Center on the mezzanine level. You may browse books and check out items from the library on Tuesday evenings.

A daughter leaves her life in a Buddhist monastery to become a full time caregiver.

Book

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry Copy #1

Jack

Kornfield

When does enlightenment come? At the end of the spiritual journey? Or the beginning? On After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, Jack Kornfield makes sense out of the paradoxes, joys, and failings we inevitably face-even after years of spiritual practice. What is the truth about enlightenment today? To find out, Jack talked to more than 100 Zen masters, rabbis, nuns, lamas, and monks from all walks of life. The result is this extraordinary look at the hard work we all must do-the "laundry"-no matter how often we experience ecstatic states of consciousness through meditation and other disciplines.

Book

Autobiography of a Yogi

Paramahansa

Yogananda

A classic by the first Hindu yoga master to live and teach in the West.

Book

World as Lover, World as Self

Joanna

Macy

Dependent Origination is one of the most fundamental and complex concepts in Buddhism. In this collection of talks and essays, the author provides examples and insights of how we can apply this ancient philosophy to our own lives, teaching us to consider our world and its creatures as nothing less than an extension of ourselves.

Book

The World of Tibetan Buddhism

H.H.

Dalai Lama

Definitive overview of Tibetan Buddhism, its philosophy and practice.

Book

Zen in the Art of Archery

Eugen

Herrigel

Illuminating account of a German philosopher who went to Japan to study archery and Zen.

A book of talks in which the author thoroughly discusses the importance of being peace in order to make peace.

Book

Breath Sweeps Mind

Jean

Smith (ed.)

A first guide to meditation practice. Teaching from various schools make clear the practice and path of meditation.

Book

The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Really Are

Alan

Watts

Perhaps the most famous of all of Alan Watts's works, the Book delves into the cause and cure of the illusion that the self is a separate ego, housed in a bag of skin, which confronts a universe of physical objects that are alien and stupid. A modern restatement of the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.

Book

The Art of Happiness

H.H.

Dalai Lama

Through conversations, stories, and meditations, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day to day anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement.

Book

Awakening Intuition

Frances

Vaughn

A concise overview of recent research, includes exercises for strengthening intuition.

Book

Awakening the Heart

John

Welwood

East/West approaches to psychotherapy and the healing relationship. There are three sections:1st Basic Questions and Psychotherapy and Spirituality. 2nd Working On Oneself. 3rd Working With Others. There are a total of 18 chapters and most of them are by a different author. John Welwood is the Editor.

Book

Bearing Witness

Bernie

Glassman

How and why the author started the Zen Peacemaker Order, offering powerful stories on ways of making peace one moment at a time, no matter how difficult things appear to be.

Book

Beginner's Guide to Zen Buddhism

Jean

Smith

Comprehensive introduction for those who don't know how or where to begin or what to expect. Fundamentals of posture and technique, basic teaching & texts, and teacher-student relationship.

Book

Bones of the Master

George

Crane

A Buddhist monk's search for the lost heart of China. Fascinating, beautifully written account of a great Chan master's return pilgrimage to Inner Mongolia after 40 years in exile.

Book

Cave in the Snow - Copy #1

Vicki

Mackenzie

The story of an English woman who seeks enlightenment through twelve years of intense Buddhist meditation in a Himalayan cave.

Book

Coming Back to Life

Joanna

Macy

Offers eloquent and compelling insight into the roots of our angst, and points the way forward out of apathy to the work that reconnects.

Book

Complete Guide to Buddhist America

Don

Morreale

Introduction to the three schools, excellent collection of essays and teachings and a listing of practice centers in America.

Book

Comprehensive Manual of Abhidharma

Bhikku

Bodhi

In depth examination of the nature of reality from the abhidharma perspective: the four types of reality; physicality, mind, mental factors, and nibbana (nirvana), each examined by way of their elements and relationships. Highly technical in nature, many connections made clear by charts, text & explanatory notes. A book for further reading and study, being a highly condensed text in itself.

Shows how to change our hearts and minds by learning open-heartedness.

Book

Dhamma Ratana

Sayadaw U

Kundalabhivamsa

Lucid explanation of dana, sila, samatha, and vipassana and stages of insight.

Book

Enlightened Living

Tulku

Thondup (trans.)

Stories focus on how to live harmoniously in the world through the practice of social and spiritual values.

Book

Entering the Stream

Samuel

Bercholz & S.C. Kohn

Introduction to Buddha and his teaching. Excellent compilation of writings by teachers and scholars of Buddhism. The companion reader to Bernardo Bertolucci's film "Little Buddha"

Book

The Fine Arts of Relaxation, Concentration, and Meditation

Joel & Michelle

Levey

Array of techniques of mental cultivation. Meditation demystified.

Book

First and Last Freedom

J.

Krishnamurti

A wide range of essays, all returning to the core concept of freedom.

Book

Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way

Jay

Garfield

Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika accessible translation of the foundational text for all Mahayana Buddhism, offers insights into the nature of reality.

Book

Garuda IV: The Foundations of Mindfulness

Chogyam

Trungpa

Selection of writings from the Tibetan tradition around meditation and psychology.

Book

Guide to Awareness

Phra

Nyanavamsara

Dhamma talks on the foundations of mindfulness.

Book

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Thich Nhat

Hanh

The Four Noble Truths, Noble Eightfold Path and other basic Buddhist teachings.

Book

How Can I Help?

Ram

Dass

Co authored by Paul Gorman.As we're called upon to help one another at home, at work, on the street, on the phone, we do what we can.Yet so much comes up to complicate this natural response: "Will I have what it takes?" "How much is enough? "How can I deal with suffering?" "And what really helps, anyway?" In this practical helper's companion, the authors explore a path through these confusions, and provide support and inspiration for us in our efforts as members of the helping professions, as volunteers, as community activists, or simply as friends and family trying to meet each other's needs.

Book

In My Own Way

Alan

Watts

Autobiography of one of the pioneers of Buddhist exploration in America.

Book

Introduction to Zen Buddhism

D. T.

Suzuki

Book

The Jewel in the Lotus

Stephen

Batchelor

A guide to the Buddhist traditions of Tibet. Provides the historical background to the religion and explains the main doctrines common to all four major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

Book

Journey of Awakening

Ram

Dass

A meditator's guidebook. Why, how, where and when to meditate. Picking a path, getting stuck, getting free. This is a revised (1990) and updated deition of the classic guide to inner development.

Book

Joyful Path of Good Fortune

Geshe Kelsang

Gyatso

Path to enlightenment, Tibetan style.

Book

Live in a Better Way

H.H.

Dalai Lama

Reflections on truth, love, and happiness. Condensed from public talks, Q&As. Good introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.

Book

Living Buddha, Living Christ (#1)

Thich Nhat

Hanh

Buddhist/Christian dialogue exploring the crossroads where the two traditions meet.

Book

Mahayana Buddhism, Doctrinal Foundations

Paul

Williams

Scholarly exploration of the sources of Mahayana Buddhism.

Book

The Mind Like Fire Unbound

Thanissaro

Bhikku

Early Buddhist teachings on the nature of mind using analogies descriptive of fire and burning.

Book

The Miracle of Mindfulness

Thich Nhat

Hanh

The Miracle of Mindfulness is a jewel of clarity, wisdom and practicality. Its gift is the transformation of 'everyday' life into an experience of joy, peace and wonder.

Book

Open Secrets

Walter

Anderson

A guide to Tibetan Buddhism for Western spiritual seekers. Clear overview of the basics of Buddhism, esp. Tibetan.

"This important guidebook shows in detail and with great humor and insight the way to practice the Buddha's universal teachings here in the West. Jack Kornfield is a wonderful storyteller and a great teacher." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Book

Peace is Every Step

Thich Nhat

Hanh

Contains commentaries and meditations, personal anecdotes and stories of the author's experiences as a peace activist and teacher, showing how deep meditative presence is available now.

Book

The Practice That Leads to Nibbana: Sharpening the Indriya

Sayadaw U

Kundalabhivamsa

In this booklet, the author points out, clearly and methodically, the benefits of practicing Vipassana meditation and the method of practice. Also explained are the five Indriya (controlling faculties) and the nine factors which sharpen them, leading one along the path to liberation as taught by the Buddha.

Book

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

Thich Nhat

Hanh

An inspiring handbook of mindfulness verses with commentaries, designed to help us slow down and enjoy each moment of our lives.

Book

Seeking the Heart of Wisdom (#1)

Joseph

Goldstein

Central teachings and practices of insight meditation, covering hindrances, compassionate response to suffering and integrating responsible action with a meditative life based on non-attachment.